Jessica Tinao is an illustrator and graphic artist living in Brooklyn, New York. She specializes in reportage, conceptual illustration, and textile art. She loves to travel and document all her experiences through her drawings. Her illustrations tell stories combining graphics, patterns, and symbols. Jessica received a bachelor's degree in Communications Design from Pratt Institute and currently works in the textile industry.

We have abused our oceans and underwater ecosystems over the past century. During my research of human and nature interaction, I came across the Native American Medicine Wheel. For many peoples, the Medicine Wheel represents spiritual harmony and peaceful interaction among all living beings on earth. I wanted to create a new form of the Medicine Wheel to educate people about major issues affecting our ocean today. Instead of making a traditional wheel, I took the idea of the four directions and displayed each one as a flag that could be raised at every port as a messenger of change. I have linked each direction to an issue:

Poster designs illustrating the current problems of ocean acidification and whale entanglement. Coral symbolizes the tree of knowledge for the sea. The red coral symbolizes an amulet against evil. We need to start protecting our oceans and only through knowledge of the current problems can we make a change.

Offshore Wind Farms

A series of posters illustrating how the impacts of Offshore Wind farming can effect local underwater environments and its inhabitants.

Mystic Seaport

A drawing of Mystic Seaport during the winter.

Preparing the Charles W. Morgan for Voyage

A collection of drawings that illustrate the launch of the ships new voyage.